Comprehension Activities for 3rd-Grade Readers

It is not enough for a third grader to read on grade level .  It is extremely important for children to understand what they are reading.  Below is an article by a second grade teacher on comprehension activities.
Comprehension Activities for 3rd-Grade Readers

Kimberlee BroaddusKimberlee Broaddus is a second grade teacher in California. She has always loved to write for pleasure and is excited to gain experience writing professionally with Demand Studios. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, with an emphasis on early elementary education.

By Kimberlee Broaddus, eHow Contributor

Third-grade readers can complete comprehension activities as they read new books.

The girl with books image by Maria Grin from Fotolia.com Third-grade readers are able to complete reading assignments independently. Teachers often use a reader's workshop format, where students read individual books and then complete a comprehension activity that goes with the book. Students are held accountable for completing their reading comprehension work, giving them the opportunity to become better readers.

1. Reading Responses

Making predictions about chapters during reading is one way that students can improve comprehension skills. When beginning a new book, students begin a prediction journal. Before beginning a new chapter, students write a prediction or two about what they think will happen in the next chapter. Students use the knowledge they have from previously read chapters to make an informed prediction.

2. Story Maps

Teachers use story maps to help students organize their thinking and understand what they have read. A story map is a graphic organizer that students can use to write a summary, demonstrate an understanding of character traits and show information about different parts of a story, such as the setting. After the class has read a book, teachers may have students work in teams to complete a story map before discussing the book together. Teachers can also use story maps to assess the comprehension of individual students who have read books independently.

3. Story Pyramid

The story pyramid focuses a student's thinking when remembering specifics from a story or book she has read. After a student has read a book, she completes the story pyramid template. The student writes the name of the main character at the apex of the pyramid, and writes two words that describe that character in the next section. Students write three words about the setting, four words about the story's problem and five words describing an event in the story. The bottom sections of the pyramid contain six words about another main story event, seven words about a third event and eight words describing how the story's main problem is solved. When finished, students have a pyramid highlighting the book they've read.

4. Make a Prediction

Making predictions about chapters during reading is one way that students can improve comprehension skills. When beginning a new book, students begin a prediction journal. Before beginning a new chapter, students will write a prediction or two about what they think will happen in the next chapter. Students will use the knowledge they have from previously read chapters to make an informed prediction. (See References 5)

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